The Past is Present in Marriott-Slaterville City May 10, 2009 NICHOLAS DRANEY/Standard-Examiner Eric Dunton helps Charlie Andrews get into his handmade armor before the jousting event at the Renaissance fair in Marriott-Slaterville on Friday. \ Knights in Yankee territory By Dl LEWIS Standard-Examiner staff dlewis@standard.net MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE—With a tip of the hat and a "Good day m'lady," visitors are swept into a world apart from everyday life. The Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire has made its temporary home in Marriott- Slaterville, and for a few days 52 acres of former farmland has become a land of knights and ladies. Executive director Sue Bodily said she works hard to keep the mystical atmosphere. Vendors, volunteers and staff are in costume, accents abound and vehicles are kept out. One vendor late to set out his wares keeps referring to his van waiting outside as a dragon. Bodily said people have an idea that the Renaissance was a simpler and less stressful time, so she wants to provide an escape for people, along with a little bit of a history lesson. The Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire Where: 3109 W. Pioneer Road in . Marriott-Slaterville. Events today: Jousting at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Singer Shauna Burns at 4:40 p.m.. Puppet shows, comedy acts and dancing will take place throughout the day. A schedule is available at the gate or at www. utahrenfest.com. When: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday and May 15-17. Price: Adults are $12. Under 12 and over 55 are $6. Tickets are half off if in costume or with a military or federal employment I.D. The fair offers a variety of Rena-issance-themed activities and booths for fairgoers. Jousting, music, puppet shows, a magician, sword- fights, the queen, a forge and foundry, a baker, jesters and many booths selling anything from armor to tiaras await those willing to walk the dusty paths around the fair. Pam and Dennis Opp brought their three children to the fair Friday after having been there twice the year before. She said the kids are home-schooled and had studied the Renaissance before coming. Her daughter, Lydia, said getting her face painted and buying a crown had been the most fun so far, but Lydia said her sister, Veronica, was really looking forward to the magic show. Jim Ritter, a South Salt Lake resident, wandered the grounds dressed as William Shakespeare. A recent transplant to Utah from Pittsburgh, Ritter said he got a degree in English literature and went to a few Renaissance fairs in the east. This is his first year dressed as the bard, which he said is a fun way to relax. He enjoys the costumes and people. Although some family members think his hobby is strange, Ritter said he thinks the fair is a great family event and good to spark kids' interest in history. "It's a very memorable event for kids," he said. Christopher Earl, 8, was happy to play with the plastic, rubber and wooden swords available to look at while two men sparred and his siblings waited. "I love swords and weapons," he said. His mother, Deborah Earl, AR